International Trade Centre - Institutional Support 2016-2019

This grant represents Canada’s institutional support to the International Trade Centre (ITC) the technical co-operation agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. The ITC's mandate is to support sustainable and inclusive trade promotion and export development within the global economy. It seeks to enable businesses in developing countries to increase exports and helps developing countries and economies in transition to improve the use of trade as a tool for development. The ITC provides assistance by making policy environments friendlier for export business by strengthening the institutions that provide support to exporters and by assisting small export enterprises and communities to reach global markets with products and services. Its activities take into account crosscutting development issues such as gender equality sustainable development and poverty reduction. ITC delivers integrated solutions around a core set of six focus areas: •Providing trade and market intelligence for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) competitiveness •Supporting regional economic integration and South-South trade •Connecting to value chains: SME competitiveness diversification and links to export markets •Strengthening trade and investment support Institutions •Promoting and mainstreaming inclusive and green trade •Building a conducive business environment

The expected outcomes as stated by the International Trade Centre (ITC) include: (1) strengthened integration of the business sector of developing countries and economies in transition into the global economy; (2) improved performance of trade and investment support institutions for the benefit of SMEs; and (3) improved international competitiveness of enterprises